Research Areas:
TDA develops new
materials, chemical processes and components. Our new materials include catalysts
and sorbents, fullerenes, carbons, polymers and polymer additives and ceramics.
These materials in turn often form the basis for new and unique chemical processes,
or protect users from chemical hazards. Components include single use devices
and aerospace propulsion and life support equipment.
In the area of advanced materials, we have developed catalysts that remove pollutants
(such as sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide)
or enable new or more efficient chemical processes (such as the production of
hydrogen, syngas, aldehydes or nitrogenated compounds). Likewise, our sorbents
remove pollutants such as sulfur and nitrogen compounds or heavy metals such
as mercury and arsenic from power plant streams or exhausts (often at elevated
temperatures where normal sorbents simply don’t function), or form the basis
for more efficient and less expensive methods for manufacturing chemicals such
as hydrogen, syngas or oxygen.
TDA is a leader in carbon-based materials, with strengths in the production
and use of fullerenes (BuckyBalls) and electrode carbons with controlled pore
size distributions. Our polymer work focuses on conducting polymers, self-assembling
materials with nanoscale features and nanometer-scale additives that improve
the physical properties bulk polymer or impart useful characteristics such as
corrosion resistance. Ceramic materials under development include aluminas and
silicon carbides. A significant focus that combines our expertise in polymers,
catalysts and sorbents is our work in chemical and biological defense.
TDA has developed and is commercializing a variety of components and devices,
including single-use devices, life support equipment, fuel systems and MEMS-based
devices. Single-use devices include units that heat individual servings of food
or personal care items, and devices that sterilize medical instruments. TDA
has built a variety of advanced life-support equipment, including air-revitalization
systems, radiators and advanced heat pipes. TDA has a long history in aerospace
fuel systems, and especially in the cooling of hypersonic vehicles.